Partners in art and in life, Ferris Plock and Kelly Tunstall collaborate seamlessly, almost out of necessity. They work in close proximity to one another in their studio, switching between parent duty to their two young children and working on their paintings. Elements of Plock’s blocky, geometric style end up on Tunstall’s softer, more painterly canvases and vice versa. The couple, sometimes known by the monicker KeFe, currently has an exhibition at San Francisco’s Shooting Gallery titled “Floating World: Part One” on view through August 9. Part two of this body of work will open at Antler Gallery in Portland on July 31, creating a visual dialogue between two cities.
“Floating World” takes its name from the iconic Japanese wood block prints and paintings called Ukiyo-e from the Edo Period. In the Edo Period, Ukiyo (which translates to “floating world”) was a new term coined to describe the wealthy merchant class’ pleasure-seeking ways — their indulgence in theater, fashion, courtesans and the like. KeFe chose this title as an homage to Japanese culture and history, which they cite as a big influence. While Japanese imagery is present in these new paintings, the artists create their own interpretation of a “floating world”: a calm, placid place where human and animal characters mingle and anything is possible.
Shooting Gallery:
KeFe
Ferris Plock
KeFe
Kelly Tunstall
KeFe
Antler PDX:
Ferris Plock
Ferris Plock
Kelly Tunstall
Kelly Tunstall
As the name might suggest, Portland's Antler Gallery showcases many artists whose work deals with the natural world. Their appreciation of animal-inspired art precipitated the annual exhibition, "Brink," which is now in its third year. Opening on January 29, the group show features artists such as Chie Yoshii, Jon MacNair, Caitlin McCormack, Brin Levinson, Kevin Earl Taylor, and Antler owners Susannah Kelly and Neil Perry, among others. Part of the show's proceeds will benefit the Audubon Society of Portland, which does work to protect the region's birds and their habitats.